Budget supermarket group Lidl is planning to build another store in Birmingham which could spell the end of a Fitness First gym.

The German firm has lodged new plans to demolish the chain's Stirchley gym and neighbouring PSL Bowling alley and replace it with a 25,920 sq ft store and 124 parking spaces.

The shop, to be housed on the 1.9-acre site in Pershore Road, would create the equivalent of 20 full-time roles.

Fitness First, which also has gyms in Solihull and Mere Green, said it had made no firm plans yet about what to do in light of the planning application being lodged.

In a statement, it said: "Our Fitness First gym in Stirchley is a one of our key clubs and it's had a great year with membership numbers steadily growing.

"We can confirm we have been informed by the landlord that there may be changes to the building's lease but this is still in the early stages of planning so, at present, there are no plans to close or change the location of the club."

Councillor Tim Huxtable (Con Bournville) has raised concerns about the impact of the proposed development on Stirchley and the potential loss of a leisure centre.

"This would have a massive impact traffic wise and also on people's shopping habits," he told the Post .

"The question is, is Fitness First going to relocate elsewhere?

"Our argument is that there are already enough vacant sites in Stirchley big enough for a new supermarket so, rather than knock down an existing leisure facility, should Lidl look at other derelict sites instead of developing this one?

"That's our contention. It seems strange to me that they want to develop where there are already two going concerns when they could look at the vacant Arvin Meritor site.

"There is already a Farm Foods and Co-op, Tesco is making noises about coming up with a development and now Lidl has lodged these plans.

"We could have a situation in the future when Stirchley has four supermarkets."